Moving from Oxnard, CA to Riverside, CA
It is a 121 mi drive, roughly 2h 29m, between Oxnard, CA and Riverside, CA. At mid-range distance you typically see real gaps open up on cost of living, home values, and climate β not just scenery. This page assembles the comparison from federal data sources and Zillow Research for a single-page view of the move.
121 mi Β· 2h 29m by car Β· CA
Distance & route
| Route through | CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | CA 134, I 210, CA 71 |
| Major cities en route | San Bernardino, Moreno Valley, Menifee, Rialto, Fontana |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Oxnard | Riverside | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 110.534 | 106.442 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 152.925 | 148.641 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 105.168 | 101.431 | 100.0 |
| Services | 171.096 | 129.312 | 100.0 |
Oxnard and Riverside sit within 5% on the overall BEA RPP β the composite diff is small, but rent or groceries alone may move more.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Riverside run about 3.7% cheaper β ZHVI $767,291 β $646,784 (2026-03).
YoY change: Oxnard -0.4%, Riverside -1.4%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Oxnard | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 61Β°F | 67Β°F |
| January avg low | 46Β°F | 43Β°F |
| July avg high | 73Β°F | 95Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | 0.0" |
| Annual precipitation | 12.9" | 10.0" |
Annual temperature rises 5.7Β°F moving to Riverside per NOAA normals.
Snowfall is a non-factor at the destination: Riverside sees under an inch a year per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: OXNARD VENTURA CO AP, CA US, RIVERSIDE FIRE STN 3, CA US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Oxnard | Riverside |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 201,014 | 316,241 |
| Median household income | $93,372 | $88,575 |
| Median age | 34 | 33.1 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 13.4% | 15.2% |
| Avg household size | 3.88 | 3.42 |
Households in Riverside earn about 3.7% less at the median β ACS 5-year 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Riverside MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 267,890 | $47,210 |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 177,100 | $47,040 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 167,590 | $34,570 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 136,950 | $36,420 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 115,940 | $32,240 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Air conditioning matters: July highs in Riverside average 95Β°F on NOAA normals. If the new place has window-unit or no AC, plan that purchase for the first week.
- Dry climate: Riverside sees only 10.0 in of precipitation a year. A humidifier helps keep wood furniture from cracking and is easier on skin and sinuses.
- Wildfire season in California typically peaks July through October β register for county emergency alerts during unpack.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
Frequently asked
Is Riverside more expensive than Oxnard?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Riverside is 3.7% lower than Oxnard (106.442 vs 110.534, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
When is the best time to move from Oxnard to Riverside?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 121 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How much do homes cost in Riverside compared to Oxnard?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $646,784 in Riverside vs $767,291 in Oxnard β a 15.7% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Riverside compare to Oxnard?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $47,450 in the Riverside MSA vs $48,380 in the Oxnard MSA, on total employment of 1,661,860 and 315,720 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
How far is Riverside, CA from Oxnard, CA?
The driving distance is 121 mi and the route typically takes 2h 29m via CA 134 and I 210. The trip crosses 1 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Oxnard vs Riverside?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $88,575 in Riverside vs $93,372 in Oxnard β a 5.1% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Oxnard.
City profiles: Oxnard, CA Β· Riverside, CA.